Formlabs has announced the launch of the first certified biocompatible resin in the desktop 3D printing space - Dental SG Resin. Designed for surgical guide applications, the Class 1 material will allow dental professionals to quickly go from a 3D model to a directly printed surgical guide using the Form 2 3D printer.

“When practitioners and researchers have the ability and access to develop incredibly precise tools for surgical applications, it opens up a new range of possibilities for the dental industry and for the medical science industry at large," Dávid Lakatos, Head of Product at Formlabs, explained. “Formlabs is leading the way in helping to advance patient care by introducing solutions that enable personalised surgical planning and mass customisation. Material innovation, like with the introduction of Dental SG, is a key driver in growing the adoption of digital dentistry powered by 3D printing.”

The Form 2 is already widely used in the healthcare and dental industries to create surgical guides, educational models, bleaching trays, retainers, aligners, and more and Formlabs hopes to expand this with the introduction of Dental SG. For example, At the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Travis Bellicchi, a resident specialising in maxillofacial prosthetics, is developing a new digital workflow with Formlabs 3D printers to create accurate prostheses for individual patients, inspired by his work with Shirley Anderson, a Vietnam veteran who suffered severe jaw loss as a result of cancer.

Another dental customer, who has been using Formlabs machines in his office for almost two years, is Dr. Michael Scherer who plans to add Dental SG to the curriculum of his 3D printing training for dentists.

“The addition of Dental SG Resin is a game-changer,” Dr. Scherer commented. “Dental SG is poised to dramatically improve patient outcome of surgical procedures by making implant surgery faster, more precise, and ultimately more comfortable for the patient. Direct printing of surgical guides has traditionally required larger-scale 3D printers that are beyond the expense and comfort level of most dental laboratories and clinicians. The introduction of Dental SG Resin allows for benchtop surgical guide printing in dental offices and smaller dental labs.”

Compatible with the Form 2 3D printer, the Dental SG biocompatible resin will be available directly from the Formlabs web store. The company has also introduced updated formulations of Clear, Black, Flexible and Tough Resins, and announced the launch of the Materials Manager, which allows users to track resin consumption and tank usage and to easily switch between resins.